to citizens of secret kingdom

04 Dec 2018 19 Comments

by lynn__ in quadrille, quote, scripture Tags: , , , , , ,

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   – Jesus  (John 16:33)

 

what have you to fear?

suffering betrayal and injustice by ones you trusted

evil gaining power to wreak havoc and violence

 

what have you to cheer?

love, grace, forgiveness…received and given

good stands stronger than evil and will overcome

 

peace has your back!

 

A quadrille with the word “cheer” and something secret…linking to dVerse poets pub!

 

time to shine

03 Dec 2018 4 Comments

by lynn__ in decastitch, rhyming verse Tags: , , , , , ,

Decastitch poem of 10 lines, 10 syllables each; see Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer.

angels illuminate this holy night
wreath of candles on table flickers bright
white lights twinkle from pine branches in snow
winter moon on velvet night sheds soft glow
joyful gleam in children’s eyes wait to see
shimmering garlands encircle the tree
carolers who sing under lamp post’s glare
gather near fire’s hearth with stories to share
each window mirrors shining stars’ array
celebrate light of the world born today

 

Decided to expand it for smoother reading out loud…at our Christmas Eve service!

 

As angels illuminated this holy night,
we light wreath of candles flickering bright.
White lights twinkle from pine branches in snow,
winter moon on velvet night sheds softer glow.
Joyful gleam in children’s eyes waiting to see
shimmering tinsel garlands encircle the tree.
Carolers, who sing under lamp post’s glare,
will gather near fire’s hearth with stories to share.
Each window mirrors shining stars’ array
as we celebrate the Light of the World today!

 

 

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so says Sophocles

01 Dec 2018 6 Comments

by lynn__ in distillation, quote, tanka Tags: , , , ,

A distillation of passage from Plato’s Republic linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. Sophocles was a Greek playwright and here’s a quote from his play “Antigone”: 

“Many are the wonders of the world but none is more wonderful than man.” — Sophocles

_______

 

this gift of old age

when strength of passions relax,

free to be at peace…

but elderly who complain,

were they happier in youth?

 

 

sophocles
Sophocles bust (public domain)

 

annunciation

29 Nov 2018 7 Comments

by lynn__ in free verse, scripture, worship Tags: , , , ,

 

At heaven’s high command,
a white-hot beam of purest light
penetrates time and space
to touch our tiny blue planet.

In a peasant cottage,
silence is muted by
an alien presence; the
whispering whir of mighty wing.

Flesh crawls with palpable terror
as the dazzling creature, a holy flame,
fixes its piercing gaze on one
wide-eyed, trembling maiden.

“Do not be afraid.”

Surprising, melodious words
uttered by molten-gold messenger
to an ordinary girl who pales
in wonder, what can this mean?

Glory’s courier speaks favor—
words of prophets coming true
Spirit of I AM will overshadow you,
virgin chosen to mother Messiah.

Her eyes lower, palms sweat,
as dry lips answer from her
wildly-beating, totally yielded heart,
she burns but does not disintegrate.

“I am the Lord’s servant.”

 

(Originally posted in 2012 as “advent: trial by fire”; later, expanded and focused. I was privileged to read this at our church Christmas Eve service, 2016)

waiting for Christmas

28 Nov 2018 12 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun, senryu Tags: , , , , ,

As newlyweds, we’d spent our money on the wedding and honeymoon so our budget was limited. We found an artificial tree on sale and put it up together. I had a few simple ornaments I had made in years past which we used to decorate the branches. We had no gifts under the tree but were happy celebrating our first Christmas together.

When our sons were little boys, they could hardly wait for St. Nick’s Day when we’d open our stockings…what gifts would be inside?  I hung them high, out of reach from eager eyes and curious fingers. Our neighbor bought the boys each an Advent calendar. They opened a window every day to find a little chocolate treat inside; counting down the days until Christmas.

Now that we’re older, we enjoy the waiting…listening to music, looking at light displays, attending grandchildren’s programs. The season of Advent is a special time of holiday concerts and worship services, culminating in the celebration of Christmas Day. We don’t really need any gifts except the presence of Emmanuel, God with us.

anticipation

waiting for return of king

our advent journey

 

_______

 

A traditional haiku refers to a season and nature so here’s another…

 

small creatures waiting

under snow’s winter mantle

for coming of spring

 

 

Linking to Imelda’s haibun prompt of “waiting” at dVerse Poets Pub

 

 

 

 

fencing after harvest

26 Nov 2018 2 Comments

by lynn__ in fusion haiku Tags: , , , , ,

Create a “fusion” haiku from the 2 original haiku for CDHK crossroads…

 

Waving the pampas grass,
At the Shinjuku station,
I said goodbye.

© Yamaguchi Seison(1892-1988)

The migratory birds
Make the wind blowing down to Asaka
From mountains frequently.

© Kawahigashi Hekigoto(1873-1937)

 

pampas grass waving

migrating geese all flown south

fall’s windy goodbye

 

© lynn__

 

beauty chillin’

26 Nov 2018 Leave a comment

by lynn__ in tanka Tags: , , , ,

 

frost sparkles on trees,

catches prisms of sunshine

and glitters  landscape;

i stare in admiration

of God’s holiday lighting!

fuyu no tsuki

25 Nov 2018 7 Comments

by lynn__ in classical haiku Tags: , , , ,

shifting-clouds-mask-moon

 

winter moon shining

framed by silhouette of tree

caught in cold night’s web

 

Linking to Frank Tassone‘s prompt on classical “winter moon” kigo…

feast of faith

24 Nov 2018 8 Comments

by lynn__ in rhyming verse Tags: , , , ,

give-thanks-printable-1000-250x2501

 

Let us remember on Thanksgiving day

our forefathers walked in the pilgrim way

forgive our greedy attitude

and give us hearts of gratitude

for providential blessings, Lord, we pray.

 

 

*Listen to brief podcast by John Piper on Giving Thanks here

 

Quintet of 5 lines (in iambic meter and AABBA rhyme scheme) for dVerse.

 

 

 

 

exotic postmark

20 Nov 2018 3 Comments

by lynn__ in tanka Tags: , , , ,

Carpe Diem Haiku Kai prompt to write of classic kigo, “ran” (orchid).

 

symmetry blossoms

in small post office lobby

— tropical orchid —

tender, delicate, and brave

sending messages of love

 

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photo by lynn

spoiler alert

19 Nov 2018 19 Comments

by lynn__ in quadrille, Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,

A quadrille of 44 words for dVerse poetics…

 

Dad took us to stock car races,
figure 8’s, Indy racetrack tour:
our family waiting at famous light
tower for bus driver to announce,
“Gentlemen, start your engines!”

Mom was relieved my brother
didn’t put spoiler on first car or
choose Nascar driving career.

 

nocturnal meditation

16 Nov 2018 5 Comments

by lynn__ in fusion haiku, haiku series Tags: , , , , ,

Challenge at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai  to create a“fusion” haiku from the given classic haiku and then create a Troiku series of three with using lines of”fusion” haiku:

the water-fowl
pecks and shivers
the moon on the waves  

© Zuiryu

scooping up the moon
in the wash bassin,
and spilling it                  

© Ryuho

I kept hanging the moon
on the pine tree, and taking it off,
gazing at it the while    

© Hokushi

i gaze at full moon
spilling on ripples of waves,
white egret shimmers

© lynn__

i gaze at full moon
rising thru pine tree’s needles,
caught in silhouette

on ripples of waves,
docked boat gently rocking as
moonlight washes shore

white egret shimmers
while pecking in moon water,
scoops up silver fish

© lynn__

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